73 MAKING OF A FLOWER GARDEN 



There are some very rich, dark gladiolas in the newer 

 sorts well worth cultivating, Deuil de Carnot, Europa, 

 and Empress of India being especially desirable sorts. 

 Caladiums form an important part of the summer's 

 ornamental planting. No other plant equals them 

 in foliage effect. The immense, glaucus green leaves 

 often measuring three feet or more in length by two 

 or more wide, have a lush, tropical effect distinctly 

 their own. The plant is a gross feeder and heavy 

 drinker, and must have an unlimited water supply to 

 be at its best. If one can procure marsh earth for the 

 caladium bed it will well repay one to do so ; marsh 

 earth that has been thrown up in ditching and lain 

 over winter for the action of the frost to subdue it is 

 of course best, but where this is not obtainable the 

 fresh muck from the swamp will be equally acceptable 

 to the caladium, but must be buried under the garden 

 soil as, left exposed to the air and sun, it becomes 

 simply a piece of peat, more suitable for fuel than for 

 plant food. Caladium tubers may be planted directly 

 in the open ground, about the first of June, or may 

 better be started in the hotbed in March and planted 

 out the first week in June. Set the tubers three feet 

 apart at the least, so that they may have abundant 

 room to develop the massive leaves. If the bed is 

 slightly lower than the surrounding lawn it will be 

 all the better, as it will retain moisture to a greater 

 degree than a raised or level bed which allows much 



